Ride-Share Driver Charged With Rape

BOSTON, MA(WBZ-AM) -- An Uber driver was arraigned in Roxbury Municipal court Monday after he was arrested for an alleged sexual assault on a passenger.

Driver Ranjan Thapa, 26, of Everett is charged with rape.

Thapa was driving for the car-riding service when he was stopped around 1 a.m by by Northeastern University Police on Hemenway Street. 

The officers noted that a female passenger appeared to not only be in distress, but may have been the victim of a sexual assault.

After an investigation by members of the Boston Police sexual assault unit arrested Thapa on a charge of rape.

During the arraignment, prosecutors say that the victim was visiting a friend from college, they were out drinking in the South End, so intoxicated that the bouncer requested an Uber.  

According to Prosecutors Thapa told police "I know I'm in trouble.  I had sex with her."  A friend of victim wondered why a 17-minute long trip took a lot longer than that.  Thapa told police the victim had "come on to him."

Thapa's Lawyers argued that he willingly walked up to Northeastern University police and spoke with them.  They did not arrest him and that "is innocent of this crime.  He cooperated fully with police." "This was a totally consensual encounter," they said.

Bail was set at $10,000.

WBZ NewsRadio1030's Carl Stevens reports.


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